“I was really humbled,” Harkins said. “I work really hard and am constantly trying to make things better for people who live in Lafayette, travel through Lafayette, and work in Lafayette. I think I am very well prepared (for the role). I was doing a lot of regional work already. I was attending regional meetings and running meetings. I have experience in city government already.”

She added that it was special to be voted by her fellow councilmembers to serve two years as mayor. Harkins has served on Council since 2017 and has lived in the city for five years.

Before serving on Council, she served on the Lafayette Urban Renewal Authority and sits on the Cultural Arts Commission, the Energy Sustainability Advisory Committee and the Audit Committee.

Harkins, who is openly gay, said she will bring a different outlook to Council.

“As an openly gay mayor, I will bring a different perspective,” Harkins said. “I will make sure we’re including all voices.”

Mardi Moore, executive director at Out Boulder County, said having a government official who is LGBTQ+ is beneficial.

“One of the things I find, if I’m in a meeting with straight people, is that I may bring something to the table they haven’t thought about.” Moore said. “It’s not because they are being prejudiced. It’s because it’s not in their experience. Whether it’s looking at a job application or health benefits, people don’t always think about the hoops that LGBTQ people have to jump through to be a part of the mainstream.”

Moore said Harkins will be able to bring her personal experiences to the board and look at policies differently.

“Representation matters,” Moore said. “Having such a qualified, energetic, engaged, and thoughtful lesbian at the helm is a really great example for our youth. We’re finally, in Boulder County, demonstrating that your sexual orientation or gender identity are not a barrier to your success.”

According to the Victory Institute — a national organization dedicated to electing openly LGBTQ people — there are 17 LGBTQ elected officials in Colorado. The site, which so far does not list any current LGBTQ mayors in Colorado, has not been updated to include Harkins. The former mayor of Telluride is gay, but he was not reelected last year.

Colorado’s current LGBTQ politicians include Gov. Jared Polis and several state representatives, among them Rep. Soyna Jaquez Lewis of Boulder County’s District 12. At the local level, Guyleen Castriotta is on Broomfield City Council, Alison Coombs is on Aurora City Council, and Candi CdeBaca and Robin Kniech are on Denver City Council.

In September 2018, Harkins was appointed mayor pro tem after Gustavo Reyna resigned to move out of state.

In Boulder County, three other communities are led by women. In Erie, Jennifer Carroll was elected mayor in 2018. Ashley Stolzmann became Louisville’s first female mayor in November, and Connie Sullivan was elected mayor of Lyons in 2016 and again in 2018.

Lafayette’s Cutler said part of the mayoral role is the experiences individuals bring to the table.

“I think the Council has done a good job of choosing who they think would be the best people to represent the city,” Cutler said. “It has to be someone willing to take on the work. And Jamie has a really strong passion and has the skills for the role.”

She added that each of the women who have filled the mayoral role have been representing the constituents as a whole.

“We are people who are motivated by our love for the city of Lafayette and our beliefs,” Cutler said. “People like Jamie, Alexandra, and the council have gone out to residents and said, ‘Talk to me. I want to hear what you have to say,’ and ‘What can we do better?’”

Harkins said she is proud of what Council has accomplished in the time she’s been on the board.

Harkins said an additional goal, which she is looking forward to, is creating a city transportation master plan. In October, the city hired Joliette Woodson as a transportation/planning engineer, who will help create the plan.